Itanagar
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed deep shock and grief over the reported submergence of eight houses under debris caused by a massive landslide at Laptap village under Toru Circle of Papum Pare district this afternoon. According to latest inputs 14 people are feared buried under the debris.
On receipt of the tragic news, Khandu immediately put the district administration on alert and ordered urgent rescue operation to evacuate probable survivors trapped inside the debris and damaged houses. He also asked the administration to provide all necessary assistance like food, medicine etc. to the affected victims and shift them to safer locations.
While a medical team with life saving drugs has been dispatched, a police team led by two officers of DySP rank has already left for Laptap. Till filling of this report NDRF team will reach at any time. Five dead bodies have been retrieved so far from the debris.
Additional police personnel from PTC Banderdewa are also on the way while SP Papum Pare too has left for the spot to oversee the rescue operations.
Reiterating his fervent appeal to remain alert and shift from vulnerable places, Khandu said Arunachal Pradesh has been at the receiving end of nature’s fury every year. The best people can do is avoid vulnerable places and stop rampant air cutting and deforestation, he added.
The Chief Minister directed the district administration to ensure that people residing in vulnerable areas are immediately shifted to safer locations and provided with all basic amenities at least till the monsoons recede.
Expressing grief over loss of precious human lives, Khandu announced release of ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs each to the next of kins of the deceased according to the laid down norms. He conveyed his deepest condolences and extended solidarity with the bereaved family members and prayed for the safety of those who are missing.
